Understanding Overfishing: A Literature Review

Abstract

Fishery resources are in danger due to the increase in the world’s population, which has led to overfishing, manifested in several ways but very little noticeable and apprehensive. So, to reveal the characteristics of overfishing, a bibliographical synthesis was made. Thus, a typology, manifestations and drawbacks with some methods of overfishing are presented. It is an excessive fishery that leads to a decrease in the average size of individuals caught, a decrease in their reproductive capacity, in their number until their disappearance, and even negative impact on the income of the fishermen. This definition includes: i- growth overfishing, which occurs when juveniles are caught before they have a chance to grow (Lc50< Lm50); ii- recruitment or reproduction overfishing, when adult fish are fished in large numbers affecting their reproduction, hence the overfishing of reproduction (Lm50 < Lopt and % of sexually mature fish in catches below the target reference point; iii- ecosystem overfishing, where the decline of a previously abundant fish stock is not offset by an increase in stocks of other species; iv- economic overfishing, where fishing effort exceeds that necessary to maximize economic rent; v- Malthusian overfishing, which manifests itself in the overpopulation of fishermen making a great effort to maintain their income and sources of animal protein.